Aneurysm occluding device for use with coagulating agents

ABSTRACT

Devices can generally include a fan portion for occluding an aneurysm neck, a channel orifice opening in the fan portion, and an agent channel for delivering a coagulating agent through the orifice into the aneurysm. Devices can be delivered through a catheter to the aneurysm, the fan portion can expand to occlude the aneurysm neck, and coagulating agent can be injected into the aneurysm. During injection of the coagulating agent, the fan portion can inhibit the coagulating agent from exiting the aneurysm. After injection of the coagulation agent, the fan portion can collapse and the device can be extracted from the patient.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

The present application is a continuation application of U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 16/218,129 filed Dec. 12, 2018. The entire contentsof which are hereby incorporated by reference.

FIELD OF INVENTION

The present invention generally relates to medical instruments, and moreparticularly, to treatment devices for aneurysm therapy.

BACKGROUND

Aneurysms can be complicated and difficult to treat. For example,treatment access can be limited or unavailable when an aneurysm islocated proximate critical tissues. Such factors are of particularconcern with cranial aneurysms due to the brain tissue surroundingcranial vessels and the corresponding limited treatment access.

Prior solutions have included endovascular treatment access whereby aninternal volume of the aneurysm sac is removed or excluded from arterialblood pressure and flow. In this respect, because the interior walls ofthe aneurysm can continue being subjected to flow of blood and relatedpressure, aneurysm rupture remains possible.

Alternatives to endovascular or other surgical approaches can includeocclusive devices. Such devices have typically incorporated multipleembolic coils that are delivered to the vasculature using microcatheterdelivery systems. For example, when treating cranial aneurysms, adelivery catheter with embolic coils is typically first inserted intonon-cranial vasculature through a femoral artery in the hip or groinarea. Thereafter, the catheter is guided to a location of interestwithin the cranium. The sac of the aneurysm can then be filled with theembolic material to create a thrombotic mass that protects the arterialwalls from blood flow and related pressure. However, such occlusivedevices do have certain shortcomings, including mass effect, which cancause compression on the brain and its nerves. Obtaining an embolic coilpacking density sufficient to either occlude the aneurysm neck or fillthe aneurysm sac is difficult and time consuming. Further, aneurysmmorphology (e.g. wide neck, bifurcation, etc.) can require ancillarydevices such as stents or balloons to support the coil mass and obtainthe desired packing density. The coils and accompanying ancillarydevices can remain in patients for their entire lives. Additionally,embolic coils do not always effectively treat aneurysms asre-canalization of the aneurysm and/or coil compaction can occur overtime. Many people who undergo aneurysm coil procedures also require along period of dual antiplatelet therapy while the patient recoverspost-procedure.

One particular type of occlusive approach endeavors to deliver and treatthe entrance or “neck” of the aneurysm as opposed to the volume of theaneurysm by implanting a device in the parent vessel of the aneurysm. Insuch “neck” approaches, by minimizing blood flow across the neck, acessation of flow into the aneurysm can be achieved. In turn, athrombotic mass can naturally form without having to deliver embolicmaterials into the aneurysm sac, as previously described. However, thisapproach also has its drawbacks, as the aneurysm does not undergothromboses immediately, and there is still a risk of rupturepost-surgery. Therefore, there is a need for a device capable ofsimplified and shortened implantation procedures that can quicklyinhibit blood flow in an aneurysm to increase patient safety, reduce thelength of the patient recovery period, and reduce the length ofantiplatelet therapy administration.

It is an aim of this invention to resolve these and other issues of theart.

SUMMARY

Disclosed herein are various exemplary devices for treating an aneurysmwith a coagulating agent. The devices can generally include a fanportion for occluding an aneurysm neck, a channel orifice opening in thefan portion, and an agent channel for delivering a coagulating agentthrough the orifice into the aneurysm. Devices can be delivered througha catheter to the aneurysm, the fan portion can expand to occlude theaneurysm neck, and the coagulating agent can be injected into theaneurysm. During injection of the coagulating agent, the fan portion cancreate a barrier to inhibit the coagulating agent from exiting theaneurysm. After injection of the coagulating agent, the fan portion cancollapse and the device can be extracted from the patient.

An example device for occluding an aneurysm can include a fan portionthat is expandable from a collapsed configuration to an occludingconfiguration, a channel orifice, and an agent channel. The fan portionin the occluding configuration can occlude an aneurysm neck to create abarrier between the aneurysm and a blood vessel. This barrier canprevent the coagulating agent from leaking into the blood vessel duringand/or after delivery of the agent into the aneurysm sac. The fanportion can extend across and occlude at least a portion of the aneurysmneck or can completely occlude the aneurysm neck in the occludingconfiguration. The channel orifice can define an opening in the fanportion through which the coagulating agent can be injected. The agentchannel can be in communication with the channel orifice and can deliverthe coagulating agent through the channel orifice into the aneurysm sac.

The example device can be delivered to the aneurysm using amicrocatheter. The fan portion can detach from its position near theaneurysm neck after the coagulating agent has been delivered to theaneurysm sac. In another example, the fan portion can be collapsed fromthe occluding configuration to an extraction configuration. Thisextraction configuration can be sized to fit inside a retrievalcatheter.

The fan portion can consist of at least one elongated support. Theelongated support can be connected to an occluding element. In someexamples, the elongated support can have a first end and a second end.The first end of the elongated support can be positioned near thechannel orifice in the fan portion. The second end of the elongatedsupport can extend towards a wall of the aneurysm across at least aportion of the aneurysm neck to occlude the neck when the fan portion isexpanded to the occluding configuration.

The fan portion can also be inflated to reach the occludingconfiguration. The device can include an inflation tube to inflate thefan portion to the occluding configuration. The inflation tube can havea distal end connected to the fan portion.

The agent channel can have a proximal end and a distal end. The distalend of the agent channel can communicate with the channel orifice totransfer the coagulating agent into the aneurysm sac. The proximal endof the agent channel can receive the coagulating agent. The channelorifice can also be an opening in the distal end of the agent channel,whereby a single opening functions as both the channel orifice and thedistal end of the agent channel.

The example device can further have a trigger mechanism in communicationwith the proximal end of the agent channel. The trigger mechanism cancommunicate with the proximal end of the agent channel to receive thecoagulating agent or introduce the coagulating agent into the agentchannel. The trigger mechanism can facilitate delivery of thecoagulating agent from the proximal end to the distal end of the agentchannel, and then through the channel orifice into the aneurysm sac.

In another example, a delivery apparatus for treating an aneurysm canhave an agent channel that can deliver a coagulating agent to ananeurysm sac. The agent channel can have a distal end and a proximalend. The proximal end of the agent channel can receive the coagulatingagent and deliver the coagulating agent from the proximal end to thedistal end of the agent channel. The distal end of the agent channel cancommunicate with a channel orifice in a fan portion and deliver thecoagulating agent through the channel orifice into the aneurysm. Thechannel orifice can also be an opening in the distal end of the agentchannel.

In the example apparatus, the fan portion can expand from a collapsedconfiguration to an occluding configuration. The fan portion in theoccluding configuration can extend across and occlude a portion of ananeurysm neck to create a barrier between a blood vessel and theaneurysm. This barrier can prevent the delivered coagulating agent fromentering the blood vessel and help retain the coagulating agent insidethe aneurysm sac.

The fan portion can detach from its position near the aneurysm neckafter the coagulating agent has been delivered to the aneurysm sac. Thefan portion can collapse from the occluding configuration to anextraction configuration. This extraction configuration can be sized tofit inside a retrieval catheter.

The example apparatus can further comprise a trigger mechanism incommunication with the proximal end of the agent channel for receivingthe coagulating agent or introducing the coagulating agent into theagent channel.

An example method for treating an aneurysm can include providing anexemplary treatment device which can include a fan portion, a channelorifice defining an opening in the fan portion, and an agent channel;joining the agent channel to the channel orifice; delivering theexemplary treatment device to an aneurysm treatment site; expanding thefan portion to an occluding configuration approximate a center of ananeurysm neck wherein the expanded fan portion occludes at least aportion of the aneurysm neck; injecting a coagulating agent through theagent channel, through the channel orifice, and into the aneurysm sac tocoagulate the blood present in the aneurysm; and collapsing thetreatment device from the occluding configuration to an extractionconfiguration for extraction of the device after the injection of thecoagulating agent.

The method can include the step of creating a barrier with the fanportion between a blood vessel and the aneurysm to prevent thecoagulating agent from entering the blood vessel. The method can includeremoving the treatment device through a microcatheter or through aretrieval deployment system. The method can include treating an aneurysmwith only a single implementation step.

The method can further include providing a trigger mechanism andtriggering the delivery of the agent by activating the trigger mechanismat a proximal end of the agent channel to deliver the agent from theproximal end of the agent channel to a distal end of the agent channel.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The above and further aspects of this invention are further discussedwith reference to the following description in conjunction with theaccompanying drawings, in which like numerals indicate like structuralelements and features in various figures. The drawings are notnecessarily to scale, emphasis instead being placed upon illustratingprinciples of the invention. The figures depict one or moreimplementations of the inventive devices, by way of example only, not byway of limitation.

FIG. 1 is an illustration of an exemplary treatment device positioned toocclude an aneurysm neck according to aspects of the present invention;

FIGS. 2a to 2f are illustrations of a treatment sequence of an exemplarytreatment device and delivery of a coagulating agent to an aneurysmaccording to aspects of the present invention;

FIGS. 3a to 3e are illustrations of a treatment sequence of an exemplaryinflatable treatment device and delivery of a coagulating agent to ananeurysm according to aspects of the present invention;

FIGS. 4a to 4e are illustrations of a treatment sequence of an exemplarytreatment device in connection with a trigger mechanism and delivery ofa coagulating agent to an aneurysm according to aspects of the presentinvention; and

FIG. 5 is a flow diagram outlining example method steps that can becarried out during delivery and use of a treatment device according toaspects of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a flow diagram outlining example method steps that can becarried out during delivery and use of a treatment device according toaspects of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a flow diagram outlining example method steps that can becarried out during delivery and use of a treatment device according toaspects of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a flow diagram outlining example method steps that can becarried out during delivery and use of a treatment device according toaspects of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The descriptions contained herein are examples of the invention and arenot intended in any way to limit the scope of the invention. In general,example devices described herein describe a treatment device that can beplaced over the neck of an aneurysm to create a barrier between a vesseland the aneurysm. At least one coagulating agent can then delivered intothe aneurysm sac. Delivery can be activated via trigger mechanism on theproximal end of the delivery system. The device can be held approximatethe aneurysm neck at least until the coagulating agent is injected, andthen can be retracted or detached from the aneurysm. The rapidcoagulating agents can coagulate the blood in the aneurysm instantly. Insome examples, the device can be removed via a microcatheter or deployedvia a retrieval deployment system.

The example devices can include a fan portion that can expand from acollapsed configuration to an occluding configuration in which the fanportion in the occluding configuration is shaped to occlude an aneurysmneck from within an aneurysm sac. In the occluding configuration, thefan portion can generally have a channel orifice working in connectionwith an agent channel that delivers a coagulating agent through thechannel orifice and into the aneurysm sac.

It must be noted that, as used in the specification and the appendedclaims, the singular forms “a,” “an” and “the” include plural referentsunless the context clearly dictates otherwise. By “comprising” or“containing” or “including” it is meant that at least the namedcompound, element, particle, or method step is present in thecomposition or article or method, but does not exclude the presence ofother compounds, materials, particles, method steps, even if the othersuch compounds, material, particles, method steps have the same functionas what is named.

In describing examples, terminology will be resorted to for the sake ofclarity. It is intended that each term contemplates its broadest meaningas understood by those skilled in the art and includes all technicalequivalents that operate in a similar manner to accomplish a similarpurpose. It is also to be understood that the mention of one or moresteps of a method does not preclude the presence of additional methodsteps or intervening method steps between those steps expresslyidentified. Steps of a method can be performed in a different order thanthose described herein without departing from the scope of the disclosedtechnology. Similarly, it is also to be understood that the mention ofone or more components in a device or system does not preclude thepresence of additional components or intervening components betweenthose components expressly identified.

Turning to FIG. 1, an example treatment device 100 is shown with the fanportion 102 in an occluding configuration approximate the neck 12 of ananeurysm 10. The fan portion 102 can occlude the aneurysm 10 from insidethe aneurysm sac 16. The fan portion 102 in the occluding configurationcan be sized to occlude at least a portion of the aneurysm neck 12. Thefan portion 102 in the occluding configuration can completely occludethe aneurysm neck 12 as depicted in FIG. 1. The fan portion 102 in theoccluding configuration can occlude the neck 12 to create a barrierbetween a blood vessel 106 and the aneurysm 10. The fan portion 102 cancontain a channel orifice 104. As illustrated, the channel orifice 104can be located in the fan portion 102 such that the channel orifice 104opens up to the aneurysm 10. The channel orifice 104 can be centrallylocated in the fan portion 102. The channel orifice can work inconnection with an agent channel 112.

FIGS. 2a through 2f are illustrations of stages or steps that can occurduring a treatment sequence of an exemplary treatment device 100 anddelivery of a coagulating agent 114 to an aneurysm 10. The coagulatingagent 114 can be a drug based on replacement factors, vitamin K,antiplasmins or any other drugs known to those of skill in the art thatcan affect blood clotting. In some examples, a rapidly clotting drug canbe effective. In addition, the drug needs to be deliverable through atorturous agent channel 112.

FIG. 2a is an illustration of an example treatment device 100 whereinthe fan portion 102 is shown in a collapsed delivery configurationinside a delivery catheter 400, a channel orifice 104 positioned on aproximal end of the collapsed fan portion 102, and an agent channel 112attached to the channel orifice 104. The fan portion 102 can be sized tofit within the lumen of a delivery catheter 400 when the fan portion 102is in the collapsed configuration. The treatment device 100 in itsentirety can be sized to fit within the lumen of a delivery catheter 400when the fan portion 102 is in the collapsed configuration. When the fanportion 102 is in the collapsed configuration, the fan portion 102 canhave sufficient flexibility to be delivered through the deliverycatheter 400, navigating torturous anatomical geometries, to bedelivered to an aneurysm 10 (not shown). The agent channel 112 can havesufficient length to be accessible outside of the patient when the fanportion 102 reaches a treatment site. The fan portion 102 in thecollapsed configuration can have a substantially tubular shape. The fanportion 102 can be comprised of at least one elongated support 108. Theexample in FIG. 2a shows three elongated supports 108 comprising the fanportion 102. An occluding element 110 can be attached to the one or moreelongated supports 108.

Moving on to FIG. 2b , the treatment device 100 can be delivered to ananeurysm 10 by sliding the device 100 distally when the fan portion 102is in a collapsed configuration through a delivery catheter 400. Thetreatment device 100 can be delivered to a treatment site through ablood vessel 106. FIG. 2b illustrates the treatment device 100 insidethe delivery catheter 400 located near an aneurysm neck 12. FIG. 2bfurther shows the fan portion 102 pushed partially out of the deliverycatheter 400 for deployment inside the aneurysm sac 16. The fan portion102 can expand as it exits the delivery catheter 400. The fan portion102 can include a memory shape material such as Nitinol, a Nitinolalloy, a polymer memory shape material, or other memory shape materialhaving properties for reshaping as described herein. The fan portion 102can be in a deformed shape in the collapsed configuration and reshapebased on a predetermined shape after exiting the delivery catheter 400.As illustrated in FIG. 2b , each elongated support 108 of the fanportion 102 can have a first end 108 a positioned approximate thechannel orifice 104, and a second end 108 b extending from the first end108 a across at least a portion of the aneurysm neck 12 towards ananeurysm wall 14. The second end 108 b can extend towards the interiorwall 14 of the aneurysm 10 upon expansion of the fan portion 102. Wheneach elongated support 108 expands, the elongated support 108 can inturn expand the connected occluding element 110 to occlude at least aportion of the aneurysm neck 12. In another example, the occludingelement 110 can expand upon discharge from the delivery catheter 400 andcause the second end 108 b of each connected elongated support 108 tomove towards the aneurysm wall 14.

FIG. 2c illustrates the example treatment device 100 wherein the fanportion 102 is in an occluding configuration in the aneurysm 10. The fanportion 102 in the occluding configuration can be sized to occlude atleast a portion of an aneurysm neck 12. The fan portion 102 in theoccluding configuration can completely occlude the aneurysm neck 12 asdepicted in FIG. 2c . The fan portion 102 in the occluding configurationcan occlude the neck 12 to create a barrier between a blood vessel 106and the aneurysm 10. As illustrated in FIG. 2c , the second end 108 b ofthe elongated support 108 can be in contact with the aneurysm wall 14when the fan portion 102 is in the occluding configuration. In occludingconfiguration, the fan portion 102 can be capable of deflecting a bloodflow from the aneurysm 10, diverting a blood flow from the aneurysm 10,slowing a blood flow into the aneurysm 10, or any combination thereof.

In the occluding configuration, the fan portion 102 can extend to theaneurysm wall 14, and the fan portion 102 can provide a force againstthe aneurysm wall 14 to maintain the expanded position of the fanportion 102 such that the treatment device 100 doesn't become dislodgedand become ineffective at inhibiting blood flow into the aneurysm. Theforce of the fan portion 102 to the aneurysm wall 14 can be sufficientto maintain the position of the treatment device 100 within the aneurysm10. For example, the fan portion 102 can be made of a memory shapematerial having a first, predetermined shape and a second, collapsedshape in the collapsed configuration. When the fan portion 102 is in anoccluding configuration within the aneurysm 10, the fan portion 102 canmove to a third, deployed shape that is based at least in part on thefirst, predetermined shape and the anatomical geometry of the aneurysm10. In the example, the first, predetermined shape can be sized largerthan the wall 14 within the aneurysm sac 16; the fan portion 102 canmove to extend to the wall 14; and the fan portion 102 can provide aforce against the wall 14 as the properties of the memory shape materialcause the fan portion 102 to attempt to open to the predetermined shape.The fan portion 102 in the occluding configuration can take the shape ofthe aneurysm neck 12 and/or interior walls 14 of the aneurysm near theaneurysm neck 12.

FIG. 2d is an illustration of a cross-sectional view looking distallyinto the aneurysm 10 of an example treatment device 100 where the fanportion 102 is in the occluding configuration, such as the treatmentdevice 100 depicted in FIG. 2 c.

FIG. 2e illustrates the treatment device 100 wherein the fan portion 102is in the occluding configuration. The channel orifice 104 in the fanportion 102 can work in connection with an agent channel 112. The agentchannel 112 can allow for the transfer of one or more coagulating agents114 through the channel 112 to the channel orifice 104. The coagulatingagent 114 can include rapid coagulating agents, such as collagen,chitosan, kaolin, zeolite, or other agents having properties forcoagulating as described herein. The agent channel 112 can have a distalend 112 a a proximal end (not shown). The distal end 112 a of the agentchannel 112 can connect to the channel orifice 104. The proximal end canreceive the coagulating agent 114 into the agent channel 112 and deliverthe coagulating agent 114 from the proximal end to the distal end 112 aconnected to the channel orifice 104. The proximal end can be accessibleoutside of the patient for injection of the coagulating agent 114 intothe patient. Coagulating agent 114 passing through the lumen of theagent channel 112 to the distal end 112 a can subsequently pass throughthe channel orifice 104 and into the aneurysm sac 16 upon reaching thedistal end 112 a of the agent channel 112. The distal end 112 a of theagent channel 112 can also be the channel orifice 104 of the fan portion102. The coagulating agent 114 can coagulate the blood inside theaneurysm 10. The coagulating agent 114 can coagulate the blood insidethe aneurysm 10 virtually instantaneously upon contacting the bloodinside the aneurysm 10 according to the coagulation properties of thecoagulating agent 114.

As shown in FIG. 2f , once the coagulating agent 114 has been pumpedinto the aneurysm sac 16, the treatment device 100 can be removed fromthe aneurysm 10. The treatment device 100 can be removed once thecoagulating agent 114 has coagulated the blood in the aneurysm 10. Thetreatment device 100 can detach from its location approximate theaneurysm neck 12 after delivery of the coagulating agent 114. As in thedevice shown in FIG. 2e , the occluding element 110, the elongatedsupports 108, or both the occluding element 110 and the elongatedsupports 108 can detach from their location approximate the aneurysmneck 12 after delivery of the coagulating agent 114. In another example,the treatment device 100 can be removed via a retrieval deploymentsystem. In another example, the fan portion 102 (not shown) can collapsefrom the occluding configuration to an extraction configuration afterthe coagulating agent 114 has been delivered to the aneurysm sac 16. Theextraction configuration can be sized to traverse through a lumen of acatheter (not shown). The aneurysm 10, now filled with the coagulatingagent 114 can now start to be reabsorbed into the blood vessel 106through the body's natural healing process. This can avoid the need forpermanently implanted elements in the patient.

FIGS. 3a to 3e are illustrations of stages or steps that can occurduring another example implementation sequence of an exemplary treatmentdevice 100. FIG. 3a illustrates an example treatment device 100comprising a fan portion 102 having a channel orifice 104, an agentchannel 112 connected to the channel orifice 104 at a distal end 112 aof the agent channel 112, and an inflation tube 118 connected to the fanportion 102. The fan portion 102 is shown in a collapsed deliveryconfiguration inside a delivery catheter 400. The fan portion 102 can bein connection with the inflation tube 118 which can inflate the fanportion 102. The fan portion 102 can include at least one material usedin neurovascular balloons, such as polyurethane or silicon. Theinflation tube 118 can have a distal end 118 a connected to the fanportion 102.

FIG. 3b illustrates the treatment device 100 inside the deliverycatheter 400 with the fan portion 102 exiting the delivery catheter 104for deployment inside a sac 16 of an aneurysm 10. As shown in FIG. 3b ,the fan portion 102 can be inflated to expand using the inflation tube118 as it exits the delivery catheter 400. The fan portion 102 can becompletely removed from the delivery catheter 400 before inflationbegins. Alternatively, inflation of the fan portion 102 can begin whilethe fan portion 102 is still entirely or partially inside the deliverycatheter 400. Inflation of the fan portion 102 can occur using saline ora variety of other elements known in the art with respect to inflatingneurovascular balloons. As the fan portion 102 inflates, the outersurface of the fan portion 102 can expand towards the aneurysm wall 14.

FIG. 3c illustrates the treatment device 100 wherein the fan portion 102is in an occluding configuration in the aneurysm 10. As illustrated inFIG. 3c , fan portion 102 can inflate to the extent that the fan portion102 can be in contact with the aneurysm wall 14 when the fan portion 102is in the occluding configuration. FIG. 3c illustrates the delivery of acoagulating agent 114 to the aneurysm sac 16 in the same manner asdescribed in FIG. 2 e.

FIG. 3d illustrates coagulation agent 114 delivered into the aneurysmsac 16 and a retrieval catheter 500 in place to extract the device 100.The fan portion 102 can collapse from the occluding configuration to anextraction configuration after the coagulating agent 114 has beendelivered to the aneurysm sac 16. The extraction configuration can besized to traverse through a lumen of the retrieval catheter 500. Thetreatment device 100 can be extracted using the retrieval catheter 500or a deployment and retrieval device. The delivery catheter 400 can alsobe the retrieval catheter 500. FIG. 3e illustrates the aneurysmfollowing extraction of the retrieval catheter 500 and the treatmentdevice 100. Once the coagulating agent 114 has been pumped into theaneurysm sac 16, the fan portion 102 can detach from its locationapproximate the aneurysm neck 12. The fan portion 102 can deflate fromthe occluding configuration to an extraction configuration after thecoagulating agent 114 has been delivered to the aneurysm sac 16.

FIGS. 4a to 4e are illustrations of stages or steps that can occurduring another example implementation sequence of an exemplary treatmentdevice 100. FIG. 4a is an illustration of an example treatment device100 including a fan portion 102, a channel orifice 104, an agent channel112, and a trigger mechanism 116. The fan portion 102 is shown in acollapsed delivery configuration inside a delivery catheter 400. The fanportion 102 can contain the channel orifice 104 that can be incommunication with an agent channel 112. The agent channel 112 can havea proximal end 112 b in communication with the trigger mechanism 116.The proximal end 112 b of the agent channel 112 can receive thecoagulating agent 114 into the agent channel 112 for delivery. Thetrigger mechanism 116 can facilitate the delivery of the coagulatingagent to an aneurysm sac 16 (not shown).

FIG. 4b illustrates the treatment device 100 inside the deliverycatheter 400 with the fan portion 102 exiting the delivery catheter 400for deployment inside the aneurysm sac 16. As illustrated in FIGS. 4b to4d , the treatment site can include an aneurysm 10 positioned adjacentbifurcated blood vessel branches and the treatment device 100 can bedelivered to the aneurysm 10 through a stem branch 106 feeding thebifurcated blood vessel branches.

FIG. 4c illustrates the treatment device 100 wherein the fan portion 102is in an occluding configuration in the aneurysm 10. Upon the fanportion reaching the occluding configuration, the trigger mechanism 116can facilitate the delivery of the coagulating agent 114 through theagent channel 112 to the aneurysm sac 16. The trigger mechanism 116 canbe operated to release the coagulating agent 114 by a physician, nurse,or other medical professional. FIG. 4d illustrates the delivery of acoagulating agent 114 to the aneurysm sac 16 in the same manner asdescribed in FIG. 2e . FIG. 4e illustrates the aneurysm followingextraction of the retrieval catheter 500 and the treatment device 100.

FIG. 5 is a flow diagram outlining example method steps that can becarried out during the administration of a treatment device 100. Themethod steps can be implemented by any of the example means describedherein or by any means that would be known to one of ordinary skill inthe art.

Referring to a method 500 outlined in FIG. 5, in step 510 the treatmentdevice having a fan portion, a channel orifice defining an opening inthe fan portion, and an agent channel can be provided for administrationto a patient. In step 520, the agent channel can be joined tocommunicate with the channel orifice. In step 530, the treatment devicecan be delivered to an aneurysm treatment site. In step 540, the fanportion can be expanded to the occluding configuration approximate acenter of an aneurysm neck. When the fan portion is expanded to theoccluding configuration in step 540, the fan portion can occlude atleast a portion of an aneurysm neck. Step 540 can also create a barrierbetween a blood vessel and the aneurysm to prevent the coagulating agentfrom entering the blood vessel. In step 550, the coagulating agent canbe injected through the agent channel and the channel orifice into theaneurysm sac to coagulate the blood present in the aneurysm. In step560, the treatment device can be collapsed from the occludingconfiguration to the extraction configuration for extraction of thedevice after the injection of the coagulating agent. Method 500 canfurther comprise the step of treating an aneurysm with only a singleimplementation step.

FIG. 6 is a flow diagram outlining further steps of method 500. Method500 can further comprise step 562 of removing the treatment devicethrough a microcatheter. FIG. 7 is a flow diagram outlining furthersteps of method 500. Method 500 can further comprise step 564 ofremoving the treatment device through a retrieval system. FIG. 8 is aflow diagram outlining further steps of method 500. Method 500 canfurther comprise the steps of providing a trigger mechanism (step 542)and triggering the delivery of the agent by activating the triggermechanism at a proximal end of the agent channel to deliver the agentfrom the proximal end of the agent channel to a distal end of the agentchannel (step 544).

It should be apparent to those skilled in the art that the presentteachings apply equally to the delivery apparatus 100 and treatmentdevice 100 claimed herein. The descriptions contained herein areexamples of the invention and are not intended in any way to limit thescope of the invention. As described herein, the invention contemplatesmany variations and modifications of the device for occluding ananeurysm, including alternative geometries of elements and componentsdescribed herein, utilizing any number of known means for braiding,knitting, weaving, or otherwise forming the fan portion as is known inthe art, utilizing any of numerous materials for each component orelement (e.g. radiopaque materials, memory shape materials, etc.),utilizing additional components including components to deliver atreatment device to an aneurysm or eject an treatment device from adelivery catheter, or utilizing additional components to performfunctions not described herein, such as coagulating agents anddeployment devices, for example. These modifications would be apparentto those having ordinary skill in the art to which this inventionrelates and are intended to be within the scope of the claims whichfollow.

1. A treatment device for treating an aneurysm, the treatment devicecomprising: a fan portion which is inflatable from a collapsedconfiguration to an occluding configuration, the occluding configurationsized to extend across and occlude at least a portion of a neck of theaneurysm, the fan portion comprising a concave surface facing into a sacof the aneurysm, an outer surface of the fan portion configured to be incontact with an interior wall of the aneurysm proximate to the neck ofthe aneurysm when the fan portion is in the occluding configuration; achannel orifice defining an opening in the fan portion, wherein in theoccluding configuration the channel orifice is open to the aneurysm; andan agent channel joined to the channel orifice in the collapsedconfiguration, the agent channel configured to deliver a coagulatingagent to the aneurysm sac through the channel orifice.
 2. The treatmentdevice of claim 1 further comprising an inflation tube for inflating thefan portion, the inflation tube comprising a distal end connected to thefan portion.
 3. The treatment device of claim 1 further comprising: atrigger mechanism for introducing the coagulating agent into the agentchannel; wherein the agent channel comprises a proximal end incommunication with the trigger mechanism to receive the coagulatingagent into the agent channel and a distal end in communication with thechannel orifice; and wherein the agent channel delivers the coagulatingagent from the proximal end to the distal end and through the channelorifice into the sac of the aneurysm.
 4. The treatment device of claim1, wherein the channel orifice is an opening in the distal end of theagent channel.
 5. The treatment device of claim 1, wherein the fanportion is further collapsible from the occluding configuration to anextraction configuration following delivery of the coagulating agent tothe aneurysm sac, the extraction configuration sized to traverse througha lumen of a retrieval catheter.
 6. The treatment device of claim 1further comprising a trigger mechanism in communication with a proximalend of the agent channel for introducing the coagulating agent into theagent channel.
 7. A method for treating an aneurysm, the methodcomprising: providing a treatment device comprising a fan portioninflatable from a collapsed configuration to an occluding configuration,a channel orifice defining an opening in the fan portion, and an agentchannel; joining an inflation tube comprising a distal end to the fanportion for inflating the fan portion; joining the agent channel tocommunicate with the channel orifice when the fan portion is in thecollapsed configuration; delivering the treatment device to an aneurysmtreatment site; inflating the fan portion to an occluding configurationapproximate a center of an aneurysm neck by the inflation tube, whereinthe inflated fan portion configuration is sized to extend across andocclude at least a portion of a neck of the aneurysm, the fan portioncomprising a concave surface facing into a sac of the aneurysm, and anouter surface of the fan portion configured to be in contact with aninterior wall of the aneurysm proximate to the neck of the aneurysm whenthe fan portion is in the occluding configuration; injecting acoagulating agent through the agent channel and the channel orifice intothe aneurysm sac to coagulate blood present in the aneurysm; andcollapsing the treatment device from the occluding configuration to anextraction configuration for extraction of the device after theinjection of the coagulating agent.
 8. The method of claim 7, whereinthe step of inflating the fan portion to an occluding configurationapproximate a center of an aneurysm neck further comprises the step ofcreating a barrier between a blood vessel and the aneurysm to preventthe coagulating agent from entering the blood vessel.
 9. The method ofclaim 7 further comprising the step of removing the treatment devicethrough a retrieval catheter.
 10. The method of claim 7 furthercomprising the step of removing the treatment device through a retrievaldeployment system.
 11. The method of claim 7 further comprising thesteps of: providing a trigger mechanism; and triggering the delivery ofthe agent by activating the trigger mechanism at a proximal end of theagent channel to deliver the agent from the proximal end of the agentchannel to a distal end of the agent channel.
 12. The method of claim 7,wherein the fan portion is inflated to expand as it exits the deliverycatheter.
 13. The method of claim 7, wherein the fan portion iscompletely removed from the delivery catheter before inflation begins.14. The method of claim 7, wherein inflation of the fan portion beginswhile the fan portion is still entirely or partially inside the deliverycatheter.